Description

Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability (JPED)

Applications Sought for Executive Editor Position

The Journal of Postsecondary Education and Disability (JPED) is the official peer reviewed journal of the Association on Higher Education And Disability (AHEAD). AHEAD is an international organization dedicated to the advancement of full participation in higher education for persons with disabilities. The Journal is the leading forum for scholarship in the field of postsecondary disability resources and services. A refereed journal, JPED has been published for over 30 years, bringing to the field scholarly articles and innovative practice briefs on a variety of related topics that emphasize research, policy issues, demographic trends, and campus-based practices.

JPED is published four times a year: March (Spring), June (Summer), September (Fall), and December (Winter). Each year, one of these issues (typically the Fall issue) is a special issue that is put together by a guest editor or team of guest editors, in close collaboration with the Executive Editor. More information may be found at https://www.ahead.org/professional-resources/publications/jped.

The Executive Editor is responsible for overseeing all operations of JPED. Primary responsibilities include:

maintain the editorial review board;
determine which manuscripts to send out for review and to whom (each manuscript is sent to at least two reviewers for a blind review),
make and communicate all final editorial decisions; share editorial feedback with authors to shape the revision and publication process,
work internally with the Managing Editor and the Editorial Assistant to manage the review process and the production of issues,
organize the order of manuscripts to appear in a given issue and (optionally) write a “From the Editor” introduction to each issue,
solicit topics and guest editors for an annual special issue,
conduct an annual editorial board meeting at the AHEAD conference each July, preceded by the submission of a brief annual report about the Journal to the CEO and Editorial Board and
present a session on writing for JPED, either at the AHEAD conference or as a virtual workshop.

Leadership Structure/Collaborative Partners

The editorial leadership team is greatly enriched by close collaborations with the Managing Editor currently Richard Allegra) and Editorial Assistant (Valerie Spears), both of whom work for AHEAD. The Managing Editor reviews all submitted manuscripts, via the online Scholastica system; routinely arranges access to JPED issues/articles through the ERIC and EBSCO database systems; and actively involved in all “process” decisions regarding JPED, schedules and helps organize the annual editorial board meeting, and collaboratively addresses any other issues with the editorial team as needed. The Editorial Assistant plays a major role in preparing each issue for publication. This entails conducting a final proofreading/editing process of all accepted manuscripts to ensure they comply with APA guidelines and soliciting minor edits or additional information from the lead authors and work with the production vendor to have each issue disseminated in alternate formats and ensures that AHEAD posts all back issues on its website.

This position has a three (3)--year commitment with an option of a three-year extension. Interested candidates are invited to apply in the following manner:

Submit a cover letter, current CV, and two writing samples to Stephan Smith, AHEAD’s CEO at this email address: Stephan@ahead.org The application deadline is Friday, May 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Please explain your interest in this role and summarize your qualifying credentials in your cover letter.
Writing samples ideally include at least one representative review of a manuscript (please delete the identifying information first) and one published research article.

Co-applicants will be considered. Candidates should clearly note in their application materials if they wish to be considered in conjunction with a co-applicant.
Applicants will be informed of the selection committee’s final decision by June 30, 2026.
AHEAD will facilitate and pay for an in-person meeting between the current executive editor and the incoming executive editor(s) at a time and location convenient to all to support a smooth transition.
AHEAD will provide the Executive Editor(s) with an annual stipend of US$15,000.00 total to be used at the discretion of the Executive Editor(s) in support of their Editorial work.
The CEO is not a member of the selection committee but is available to receive questions about this position and process.